MLB Draft ’13: Day One’s Picks And Reactions

Here is a complete wrap-up of Day One of the 2013 First Year Player Draft which includes the first two rounds and the competitive balance rounds.

FIRST ROUND

1. Astros select: Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford University

Well then… The dominant young Mark Appel ends up going first. Was Johnathan Gray’s positive test for Adderall a factor in him slipping from #1? Perhaps, but Appel is not the #1 pick by luck. He is clearly a top-tier talent and assuming there are no signability issues, he may make the MLB team in a hurry.

2. Cubs select: Kris Bryant, 3B, University of San Diego

Gray gets passed over again… Bryant has the best raw power in this entire draft and is a really great kid. This is a great pick no matter how you slice it. I love MLB Network’s comparison to Troy Glaus.

3. Rockies select: Jonathan Gray, RHP, Oklahoma

So the Rockies, who were going offensive this entire time, decide to take a chance on Gray. I can’t blame them because Gray was projected to be the #1 pick and was ranked as the #1 prospect from Baseball America going into this draft. You always draft BPA and the overall package that Gray provides is undeniable. Reports state that Gray may actually hit the Rockies rotation by the end of the year.

4.Twinsselect: Kohl Stewart, RHP, St. Pius High School

This is absolutely no surprise. His secondary pitches, namely his slider, make him one of the top arms in the draft.

5. Indiansselect: Clint Frazier, OF, Loganville High School

Frazier was one of the top outfielders in the draft if not THE top outfielder. Many were hoping by some miracle that he would drop to the Mets, but he would never have gotten past the #10 pick. Comparisons to Mike Trout have been running wild about this kid. 5-tool talent. No matter what Bud Selig says, he plays Center Field…not 3B.

6. Marlinsselect: Colin Moran, 3B, North Carolina

I had the Marlins taking Shipley in this spot… That is interesting. Shipley will likely still go in the top ten – but I see a flip between the Marlins and Rockies who went ahead and drafted against the knowledge we had from their camps. The Mets wanted Colin Moran but did not see a scenario where he dropped to their #11 spot.

7. Red Soxselect: Trey Ball, LHP, New Castle High School

The left-handed pitcher and outfielder, who has very impressive offensive talent, has been scouted and appreciated more as a pitcher as time has gone on. You could basically go either way here. He will likely stay as a pitcher, though. I guess the Red Sox liked him more than Shipley here.

8. Royalsselect: Hunter Dozier, SS, Stephen F. Austin High School

WHAT?! … Saving money for later, huh? This is definitively the reach of the draft…wow.

9. Piratesselect: Austin Meadows, OF, Grayson High School

Damn the Pirates. That’s my analysis. I mocked them to take Reese McGuire along with the rest of the world, but they’ll probably look to take him with the 14th pick if he sticks.

Great high school arm. MLB Network’s comparison to A.J. Burnett makes sense… but now onto the Mets…

11. Metsselect: Dominic Smith, 1B/OF, Serra High School (California)

Simply put, he could be the best all-around hitter in the entire draft. Has a chance to be a plus hitter, with plus power and plus defense at first base. MLB comparison: Todd Helton. Read more right here:

12. Marinersselect: D.J. Peterson, 3B, University of New Mexico

Aw…that’s a nice emotional moment in the Peterson household. Well, a lot of draft gurus had this guy mocked to the New York Mets, with comparisons to Jedd Gyorko. I like Dom Smith over him, but he’s a natural hitter.

13. Padresselect: Hunter Renfroe, OF, Mississippi State

This guy is going to become a very impressive hitter. Plain and simple. He was one of my favorite targets for this draft and I am a little miffed that the Mets passed on him. Very impressive raw power. Padres got a great pick here.

14. Piratesselect: Reese McGuire, C, Kentwood High School

Called it. McGuire is the top catching prospect in this draft and is very athletic. I love his swing. I wasn’t too hot on the Mets grabbing him, but he is an overall strong pick. He has a VERY HIGH ceiling as a left-handed hitting catcher. The Pirates got an incredible haul with McGuire and Meadows.

15. Diamondbacksselect: Braden Shipley, RHP, University of Nevada

Not only did they get a kid generally in their area, but man, this could work out being the steal of the draft. I honestly thought that he was going in the top 10 to the Marlins so the Diamondbacks picked themselves a future stud in this one. Touches 98 with the fastball and good movement.

16. Philliesselect: JP Crawford, SS, Lakewood High School

Top shortstop in this draft class. ‘Nuff said, because it’s the Phillies.

17. White Soxselect: Tim Anderson, SS, East Central College

A multi-sport talent that likely becomes a top positional prospect for the CWS, who have a low rated system. I think his pop profiles out to be average for shortstop, but he’s got a contact swing and good athleticism should contribute to good defense.

18. Dodgersselect: Chris Andersen, RHP, Jacksonville University

Well, this is a guy that I looked into for the Mets, but decided that we would have reached for him at the #11 pick. That being said, he’s a big dude who throws four pitches. The fastball is solid, and the curve/slider/change are all passable. He could turn into a very nice value pick in the middle of the 1st round for the Dodgers, who play in a pitcher’s park to begin with.

19. Cardinalsselect: Marcos Gonzales, LHP, Gonzaga

I rated Gonzales a little later down in the draft that he was picked here but the Cardinals have a great eye for talented. Solid left-handed pitching talent here. I thought he would be a second-rounder, so they’re giving up potential ceiling for the maturity of a college player.

20. Tigersselect: Jonathan Crawford, RHP, Florida

No surprise here. Coming off an up-and-down year, he is fairly talented for a pitcher with his frame. He’s a polished college pitcher so I guess the Tigers are giving up some upside with this one.

21. Raysselect: Nick Ciuffo, Lexington High School

Third best catcher in the draft, behind McGuire and Denney. I really like this kid though. I think he has real potential. Vague, I know, but he’s got such a sweet swing and left-handed hitting to boot.

22. Oriolesselect: Hunter Harvey, Bandys High School

Love this pick. Not only does he have a really cool name, but I think I had him just behind Shipley and Stanek. Really nice arsenal of pitches and should be the #1 prospect in the organization after Dylan Bundy makes his MLB debut, IMO. Very raw — but can be turned into an ace.

23. Rangersselect: Alex Gonzalez, RHP, Oral Roberts High School

He likely won’t turn into an ace but they could have drafted a solid pitcher here. The Rangers need homegrown starting pitching considering their home ballpark, so nice pick. But no Ryne Stanek…?

This is…a bit of a reach. I will assume the Giants see something in him that they feel they can develop. Shortstops are always at a premium, though.

26. Yankeesselect: Eric Jagielo, 3B, Notre Dame

I don’t think he’ll stick at 3B. If he makes it to the Yankees, he’ll have many good days with the short bandbox dimensions of Yankee Stadium. Good power…not great.

27. Redsselect: Phillip Ervin, OF, Samford

Yeah, this was Teddy Klein’s guy. He can end up rating out as a five-tool player. This is a great value pick for the Reds.

28. Cardinalsselect: Rob Kaminsky, LHP, St. Joseph Regional High School

This is basically one of those hometown guys… I had him mocked to the Yankees later on in the draft and I’m really surprised to see the Cardinals take him. That being said, what you see is what you get. A left-handed equivalent of Dillon Gee, maybe, with better control? He has time to prove himself better.

29. Raysselect: Ryne Stanek, RHP, Arkansas

This really isn’t fair. The Rays get Matt Moore, David Price, Ryne Stanek… Man, their home-grown pitching is just outlandish. This is a guy that I would’ve been happy if the METS took at No. 11. Chew on that.
30. Rangersselect: Travis Demeritte, SS, Barrel High School

Talented infielder – he played shortstop and calls himself a third base man. He’s quite an athlete, working as a pitcher and playing football as well. I’m fairly certain he’ll stick at shortstop and could project out to be a solid player in the future.

31. Bravesselect: Jason Hursh, RHP, Oklahoma State

As MLB Network points out, he has already undergone Tommy John surgery…and yet reached triple digits. That’s ridiculous. The fastball is incredible, but he needs secondary pitches to really become a starter. I think he’ll turn into a strong bullpen arm.

32. Yankeesselect: Aaron Judge, OF, Fresno State

Damn it. Even if Judge fails, the Yankees will just buy an outfielder in his place. I think he has 30 home run power…which is why I’m so upset the damn Yankees got him.

33. Yankeesselect: Ian Clarkin, James Madison High School

Man, I just continue to hate the Yankees. Great upside pick here — and he’s a left-handed tosser to boot. I can’t imagine why he lasted till the last pick of the first round, but of course the Yanks would get him… Best High School curveball. Oh… he does hate the Yankees, though. Haha.

The Amazins’ come away with first baseman Dominic Smith and righthander Andrew Church after Day One of the First Year Player Draft. We’ll be back for Day Two of the MLB Draft tomorrow at 12:00 PM. The Mets will have two picks in the third round.

Satish Ram is the MiLB editor at Mets Merized Online and one of the two Executive Editors and Co-Owners here at MetsMinors.net. You can reach him at facebook.com/SatishRam or follow him on Twitter at @SilverHeatMMO.